When Can We Anticipate Home Heating Prices to Subside?

With winter weather settling in, homeowners in the U.S. are experiencing the challenge of home heating costs. Recent years have seen a noteworthy jump in energy prices, leaving many looking for answers and relief. Uncover what affects home heating prices, the recent trends we’ve seen and ways to keep your utility bills in check.

Different Kinds of Home Heating Fuel

Many fuels are used to heat homes in the United States:

• Natural gas heats 48% of American homes.
• Heating oil heats 5% of homes.
• Propane is used in another 5%.

• Electricity warms 40% of U.S. homes. Fossil fuels are still the most used source for making electricity in spite of the surge in interest in renewable energy sources like wind and solar. 

What Are the Key Influences on the Rates of Fossil Fuels?

Based on the above information, it’s clear that fossil fuels heat a large majority of North American households. Supply and demand is the most significant factor driving price fluctuations. An increase in supply—triggered by more production and storage rates—usually lowers prices, while a spike in demand—triggered by severe weather, a thriving economy and rising rates for alternative fuels—can cause prices to climb.

Exactly How Much Has the Cost of Natural Gas Risen?

Domestic natural gas production outpaced consumption starting in 2017, leading to a broad price decline in all of 2018. However, demand has increased significantly recently across all sectors, causing natural gas prices to achieve heights not seen in roughly a decade.

In 2022, the average wholesale cost of U.S. natural gas hit its highest point since 2008, attaining an average of $6.45 per million British thermal units (MMBtu). This massive increase represented a tremendous leap of over 53% from the previous year, marking it as one of the biggest annual increases ever recorded.

Numerous factors added to the unpredictable rise and lack of stability of natural gas prices last year. In early 2022, manufacturing hiccups caused by freeze-offs and a large draw from natural gas reserves nudged prices upward. Robust liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Europe and other regions, coupled with a surge in domestic demand due to cold weather, stretched the price range even further.

In the spring of 2022, prices soared past $9/MMBtu, only to fall by 40% following the fire and subsequent shutdown at the Freeport LNG export terminal. This incident sharply cut U.S. LNG exports and redirected more natural gas to storage. But, as the summer heat faded, prices climbed yet again, hitting a high point in late August.

Shifting into the fall, an uptick in natural gas production and higher-than-average injections into storage saw prices drop down closer to the five-year average. But, as temperatures decreased, the demand for heating caused prices to rise one more time.

When Will Fuel Rates Calm Down?

The changes in natural gas prices highlight the complex interplay of factors influencing home heating costs. As we look ahead to the rest of the 2023-24 heating season, the market’s past behavior offers insights into future price changes and the prospect of cost-saving options.

As of late 2023, prices have come down from their previous highs thanks to robust production and fairly mild temperatures. Although demand remains steady, forecasters are predicting prices around $3.44/MMBtu this winter, offering some respite for property owners as we move through the heating season.

Ways to Reduce Your Heating Bill

It doesn’t matter how you heat your home or what prices are like, you can take several practical steps to increase energy efficiency and cut your heating bills. Here are a couple of suggestions:

• Seal drafty windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping.
• Use curtains to your advantage, making sure to pull them open during the day for free light and heat and then closing them each night to insulate your windows.
• Add more attic insulation to prevent heat from rising out of your home.
• Invest in a smart thermostat that learns your habits and saves you money.
• Dial down the temperature on your thermostat when you’re away so you aren’t spending money to heat an empty house.
• Don warmer clothes inside your residence so you do not have to crank up the thermostat.
• Schedule seasonal furnace maintenance to keep your heating system in top shape.
• Set up a whole-house humidifier. Moist air feels warmer than dry air, so you feel more comfy at a lower temperature.

Bring Comfort Home in the U.S. with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

Nothing is more critical to the Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing team than your comfort and happiness in your home. Our services can also help bring down home heating costs, which is excellent news for your finances. With ACE-certified technicians at the helm, you can expect quality, lasting solutions to all your comfort needs. Our company’s 100% satisfaction guarantee means that if you’re not truly happy with our services, you can count on us to make things right.

As a company that prides itself on innovation, customer engagement and community involvement, you can trust Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make a significant difference in your life and sense of comfort. For more details of what you can expect with heating prices in the U.S. or personalized solutions to help lower your utility bills, contact the professionals at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Call 866-397-3787 today to learn more.